Coronavirus update

When we cancelled our Big Spring Walk, sisters Caz Holbrook and Penny Minchin, plus Caz’s ten-year-old son Finn, refused to be beaten.Before current restrictions were imposed – and while maintaining social distancing throughout – the trio completed the longest, and almost deserted, Big Spring Walk route of 17km on Sunday, raising more than £350 in the process.Their inspiration was the care given to Caz and Penny’s parents – who both died at St Michael’s – and Finn’s dad who died at the Hospice two years ago.‘St Michael’s is close to all our hearts,’ said Caz.‘It was a wonderful day and I’m so proud of us all, particularly Finn.’

For many years the St Michael’s Hospice Community Choir has entertained audiences – including royalty – at fundraising events throughout Herefordshire.

But the 30-strong group will this month bid a fond farewell to its Choirmaster, Denise Bishop.

Denise is standing down at the same time as retiring from her role in the Fundraising team at St Michael’s, based in Bartestree.

‘I’d like to thank everyone for their support, not only towards me but the Hospice as a whole,’ she said.

‘I’ve met so people I simply wouldn’t have done had it not been for this role.

‘There’s a real mix in the group. Some are staff members and volunteers, others are patients’ relatives. For relatives, I think it’s a way of staying in touch with a place which means so much to them. I shall miss them all.’

The Choir began life in 2009 when it was formed to sing at Hereford Cathedral during celebrations to mark 25 years of St Michael’s.

Denise was a Choir member that day but following a chat with a colleague, she put her name forward to lead the group for the Hospice’s 30th Anniversary in 2014, again at the Cathedral.

‘We were only supposed to be getting back together for the one event, but everyone seemed to enjoy it so I asked them whether they’d be interested in meeting again.’

Since then the choir has enthralled audiences at a variety of Hospice-led events including Midsummer Lights and the Flower Festival at Lyde Arundel last September.

The Choir has also staged its own concerts, notably One Glittering Night, One Starry Night, and Sounds of Summer at Eastnor Castle, and performed to the likes of Princess Alexandra and Monty Don.

If you would be interested in becoming the Hospice’s new Choirmaster, which is a voluntary role, call Jill Groves at St Michael’s for more information on 01432 852 606.

Caption: Denise Bishop (front row, right) pictured alongside Monty Don and the St Michael’s Hospice Community Choir during the launch of the Transformation and Peace Flower Festival last September.

In 2000, the family of Sue Parry helped set-up a six-a-side football tournament in memory of the 24-year-old sports fanatic from Hereford who died the previous year.

Fast-forward two decades and the now-annual event is within a rasping half volley of raising £100,000 for Bartestree-based St Michael’s Hospice.

This summer’s tournament, to be held at Hereford Leisure Centre on Sunday 27th June, will include a music festival for the first time alongside the football which features categories for men, women and juniors.

It’s all a far cry from the early days of the fledgling fundraiser back in 2000 though.

‘We had no idea how to organise the event so we approached the late Ralph Farmer, and Lyn Gummer from the Hospice’s Fundraising team, for help,’ said Sue’s mum Sandra.

‘The tournament’s journey has been extraordinary, surpassing all our expectations.

‘I’m just so grateful to everyone who takes part each year.‘

Sue’s family are always there and are extremely touched by the support given.’

Sue Parry received care from St Michael’s before she died in July 1999 after contracting cancer.

As a keen Chelsea fan, Sandra said a football-based fundraiser seemed a fitting tribute to her wonderful daughter.

‘There is nothing worse than losing a child,’ she said.

‘Sue was a kind, inspirational person who was full of life.

‘It was from Sue and the time I spent looking after her that I decided to go into nursing.

‘Sue’s family feels passionate about supporting our Hospice and each year the goal is to raise awareness of how reliant St Michael’s is on the generous support of the community.’

This May, a Hereford garage will be taking a little time off from keeping the county’s vehicles on the road, when they instead help runners take to the streets in a bid to beat their personal bests. Thanks to Darren and Beth Gibbons, St Michael’s Hospice RUN Hereford event on Sunday 10th May 2020 will be supported by a team of pace runners wearing brightly coloured t-shirts emblazed with target finish times. Managing Director of Easy Garage Darren Gibbons has sponsored the t-shirts and organised the rabbit runners for the Half Marathon and 10k road races. Darren, who has paced The Great North Run amongst others will be wearing the 2-hour (2.00) t-shirt for the Half Marathon said, ‘Runners love pacers because they know exactly when they’re going to finish. This means it’s vital that pacers know how to run a constant and accurate time throughout the whole race. RUN Hereford Director Matt Ashcroft said, ‘We are thrilled that Easy Garage are supporting the event. Their involvement is going to make the day much more rewarding for the finishers. ‘By dropping in behind a pacer means runners will have one less thing to worry about, giving them a much better chance of completing the course in their target time.’ Darren’s wife and business partner Beth Gibbons will also be taking part in the event when she takes on the challenge of completing her first half marathon in memory of her mum and dad who both needed Hospice care at the end of their lives. ‘Both Darren and I have witnessed the amazing care provided by staff at St Michael’s Hospice. In 2017, Darren helped to raise over £5,000 for St Michael’s so I thought it was time I also supported a much-loved local charity.’Runners can sign up for all the RUN Hereford events at www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk Those taking part in the Half Marathon will benefit from 1.30, 1.45, 2.00, 2.15 and 2.30 pacers, while the 10K will have runners pacing 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60-minute times.

The co-founder of a global Mindfulness movement will visit Hereford this Spring to help lead a masterclass in end-of-life compassion.

Vidyamala Burch, who helped establish Breathworks, will co-lead a day-long event at St Michael’s Hospice entitled Mindfulness & Compassion at the End of Life.

She will be joined by Gail Calthrop, the Hospice’s Breathworks Mindfulness Practitioner, for the masterclass which will benefit a wide range of people from NHS staff, carers and those facing end of life.

‘This masterclass will introduce you to the skills of sharing Mindfulness in a clinical setting, to help those facing pain and difficult emotions,’ said Gail.

It takes place on Friday 24th April from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

NHS staff, along with staff and volunteers at St Michael’s, are entitled to a 10% discount by entering the code STMICHAELS2020

A fundraiser was treated on his 90th birthday when the Herefordshire pub where he has collected thousands for charity threw him a surprise party.

Albert ‘Albie’ Phipps has spent more than a decade donating winnings from his Phat card group at the Moon Inn, Mordiford to St Michael’s Hospice.In that time around £17,000 has been handed to the Bartestree-based Hospice.

‘It was a lovely surprise,’ said Albie, who now lives in Gwent but still travels to the pub when he can.‘I get a lot of pleasure from giving this money to St Michael’s, and I’ll continue to raise money for them.’

Albie’s association with the Hospice began years ago when his brother in Wales had cancer.

‘A doctor travelled from St Michael’s to see him,’ he said. ‘He told him he would drive to see him whenever he wanted.‘From that point on, it was always St Michael’s I wanted to donate to.’

Even when Albie can’t make it to Mordiford, Phat games at The Moon continue with staff ensuring winnings go into the St Michael’s pot.

Phat is played by four players sitting in two partnerships.The aim is to score points by winning tricks containing valuable cards.

Lynne Carter, the Hospice’s Income Generation, Marketing and Communications Director, said, ‘We are blessed to have so many people in our community with a generous heart.

‘Albie is one such supporter. His dedication is touching and inspiring.‘From everyone at St Michael’s, I’d like to wish Albie a Happy Birthday and thank him, and everyone at the Moon Inn, who has helped raise such a fantastic figure over the years.’